Daviess County in running for Fairground Facelift grant

Sept. 18--There's an opportunity for the community to help support Daviess County 4-H'ers and doesn't cost a dime. Jane Ann Beard, Daviess County 4-H youth development and county extension director, said the local program has been selected as one of 15 finalists in the Grinnell Mutual Fairground Facelift grant program.

"We applied for this last month and found out last week we were selected as one of the finalists," said Beard, adding the public can vote online at the Grinnell Mutual website or through Facebook.

Beard said the top five facilities that receive the most votes will be awarded grant money to make needed repairs to their respective 4-H facilities.

"We are currently in second place," said Beard, adding that many have shared their support for the local 4-H program by sharing the links to vote via Facebook and social media.

The program receiving the most votes between now and 12:59 p.m. Wednesday will receive $3,000 from Grinnell Mutual, a casualty insurance company and the largest primary reinsurer of farm mutual companies in North America. The remaining four programs will each receive $1,000.

Should Daviess County receive one of the grants, Beard said, the money would be used to update and replace electrical wiring in the livestock barns.

"The wiring systems are insufficient for the current needs of our livestock exhibitors," said Beard, adding those who want to vote should look for the photo of the electrical outlet. "Show week is always one of the hottest of the year and want to make sure our electrical can keep up with the equipment our exhibitors bring in to help keep their animals."

Extra lighting, she said, is also needed for the area between the sheep and goat barns.

"This year, we brought in some portable lighting for that area," she said.

Beard said the 4-H directors know the grant wouldn't cover the cost to fully update the electrical but it would be a start.

"The grant may not cover the entire cost of our project, but it's extra money that we didn't have before," she said.

David Peel is one of several supporters who have been sharing the contest link on Facebook.

"I just decided a few days ago to be one of the forces to try and get some momentum behind this," said Peel who's been creating memes that serve as friendly reminders to Facebook friends to vote for the local program. "It's too good of an opportunity to let slip by."

Daviess County had 440 youth exhibit livestock and other projects during the annual 4-H show held in July, that was 10 more than in 2016.

Barb Baker, director of advertising and community relations for Grinnell, said fairgrounds are important for the future.

"The local fairground represents both the history and the future of agriculture in our communities," Baker said. "Supporting efforts to enhance their local facilities gives community members a sense of pride and belonging."

To vote for the Daviess County 4-H program, search for Grinnell Mutual on Facebook or visit grinnellmutual.com/promotions/fairground-facelift-promotion. As of Monday afternoon, Daviess County was about 200 votes behind the Adams County, Ohio, fairgrounds located in West Union, Ohio.

For more information on how you can support the Daviess County 4-H program, contact the Purdue Extension Daviess County office at 812-254-8668.

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